Calls for patience on vaccines for Scarborough borough care homes
Care homes in the Borough of Scarborough are calling for patience on vaccines for residents.
Care homes in the Borough of Scarborough are calling for patience on vaccines for residents.
The Independent Care Group says they will have to go to designated hubs for the doses as the injections cannot be stored in their buildings.
Its Chair, Mike Padgham, who also runs St. Cecilia's in Scarborough, said:
"Care home staff and residents are at the top of the list, yes, but they have to go to one of the 50 hubs in England. They've got to be vaccinated. We've got to get people from here to wherever the hub is and then they've got to go back again in three weeks for the second injection.
"Now it seems that vaccines can't be given in the care homes because it has to be stored at minus 70 degrees. I think it will be like the hospitals. So residents in care homes won't get it immediately. I can see it being into January before that happens so it's good news. But that's why we have to be vigilant and careful that we can get it, but it's not immediate. We've got a few more weeks of challenge ahead of us.
"Minus 70 degrees isn't easy; only hospitals have got that type of refrigeration. The other thing is it comes in packs of 900, I think, of vaccinations and it's not recommended to be split. So if you've got a small care home, you can't deliver it even if they have the temperature storage facilities.
"At least there's some protection for staff in care homes who potentially will be safer for their families but also reduce the risk of infection coming into their homes. So it's only good news but the watch word at the moment is to have a bit more patience; as if people haven't waited long enough, a little bit more pain and then hopefully we'll be OK."